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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Fanon
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(1) A head-dress worn by the pope when he celebrates mass pontifically. It is described as a veil variegated, like the Mosaic ephod, with four colors, symbolizing the four elements, put over the head after the pope was vested with the alb, and tied round the neck, forming a kind of hood, the tiara or other headdress being put on above it. The lower part was concealed by the planeta. The annexed figure is from a small brass statue on the doors of the oratory of St. John Baptist at the Lateran. At the "Foot-washing" the "Roman Ceremonial" directs that the pope should wear the fanon alone without the mitre.
(2) The napkin or handkerchief, used. by the priest during the celebration of the mass to wipe away perspiration from the face, etc., properly called facitergium.
(3) In later times the white linen cloth in which the laity made their oblations at the altar. The word is sometimes erroneously spelled "favones"
(4) A still later use of the word is for the church banners employed in processions. This is perhaps inot earlier than the French and German writers of the 11th century.
(5) The strings or lappets of the mitre.